Ex Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has begun his new role as the manager of Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq.
After initially declining an offer in June, Gerrard accepted the position earlier this month.
While the opportunity is undoubtedly exciting for the 43-year-old, he faces a clear obstacle: the language barrier.
A video that went viral on Thursday showcased Gerrard’s struggle to effectively communicate his message to players during a training session.
Top football stars led by Cristiano Ronaldo have flocked to the Middle Eastern nation after receiving lucrative offers to play in the Saudi Pro League, and Gerrard is probably the first high-profile English coach or player to move to offer his services to the Saudi league.
In the video seen on Twitter, the former Rangers boss places the ball on the ground before asking, “Who wants it? Who wants it? Do you want it? Tell me then!”. After his player failed to respond to his instructions, he can be heard saying, “No communication.”
It is clear the former Aston Villa manager will need time to adjust to the demands of the league. He will need to move fast and pass on his ideas since the league kicks off next month. This is Gerrard’s third managerial stint. Al Ettifaq finished 7th last season with 37 points from 30 games, per Transfermarkt.
Gerrard speaks Arabic in introduction
After the confirmation of his appointment earlier this month, the former England captain attempted to speak Arabic in his introductory video with Al Ettifaq fans.
In a selfie video, Gerrard sent a message to the club’s fans and spoke Arabic, with his message translated to: “I am Steven Gerrard. I am an Ettifaqi. See you soon.”
The video was met with hilarious reactions from football fans who made fun of his Scouse accent, which was audible in his message.